Sealable individual bar coded packets

ABSTRACT

A foldable and sealable packet is provided which contains a bar coded symbol, such as a RSS/CS bar code. The packet preferably also contains human readable information. In one embodiment the packet is used to contain medication for a patient. In such case, patient caregiver instructions are received electronically, medication is dispensed, and the foldable and sealable packet is produced, and the medication is contained therein. The foldable and sealable packet, with the medication contained therein, is provided to the patient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is based on and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/373,740 entitled “SEALABLEINDIVIDUAL BAR CODED PACKETS” and filed on Apr. 17, 2002, U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/390,254 entitled “SEALABLEINDIVIDUAL BAR CODED PACKETS WITH EXTENDED GRAPHICS” and filed Jun. 19,2002, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/392,060 entitled“SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BAR CODING BLISTER PACK PACKAGING” and filed Jun.25, 2002, and PCT Patent Application Serial Number PCT/US02/41 entitled“MODIFIED BAR CODE SUBSTITUTING FOR DOUBLE BAR CODED LABEL” and filedDec. 17, 2002 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/341,763 entitled “MODIFIED BAR CODE SUBSTITUTINGFOR DOUBLE BAR CODED LABEL” and filed Dec. 17, 2001, the entire contentsof all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, medication is distributed in containers such asplastic vials, bottles, and packets. These containers are potentiallyexpensive to manufacture and also produce considerable waste. Further,in a hospital or nursing home, ambulatory care facility, outpatientfacility environment, or in another patient care facility (collectivereferred to herein as a “patient care facility”), individual servings oftablet form medications are typically dropped into a plastic cup and thetablets are later consumed. Typically, a piece of paper containinginformation directed to the patient and the medication, for example inthe form of a tablet, is included in the cup. After the medication isconsumed, the piece of paper and/or label is placed in the patient'smedical record chart at the hospital or other medical related facility.

Also in the prior art, a pharmacy associated with a patient carefacility typically prepares medications for patients in blister packform, for example, a one month supply. Typically during rounds, a nursearrives at a patient room and ensures that the patient is present. Thecharts for the patient are referenced, and the medication and/orprocedures for the patient are noted and prepared. Tablets are removedfrom the blister pack and put in a paper cup and administered to thepatient.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of how the above-identified prior artmedication distribution processes can create confusion and result inerrors. As shown therein, a pharmacy, such as a pharmacy department in ahospital, provides medication in blister packs. After the medicine inthe blister packs is distributed to floors, a nurse or other patientcaregiver separates the medicine from the blister pack packaging andprepares each patient's dosage. There is great potential for error whenmedications are taken from the original pharmacy packaging, chosen bynurses or caregiver and delivered to patient. Typical errors include thewrong patient, medication, dosage or time of day.

Bar codes are typically printed on individual items and on containersenclosing a number of items. Bar codes contain information encoded inbars and spaces of various widths and arranged in predeterminedpatterns. When a bar code is scanned by a bar code reading device (e.g.,a laser scanner), the bars and spaces are usually crossed by thescanning beam along a horizontal plane, or alternatively, rastered orscanned omni-directionally. Bar code technology, including printers,scanners and decoders encompass symbologies (i.e., bar code languages)to encode data that are optically read, thus producing machine-readablesymbols that capture visual images of the symbologies and convert themto computer-compatible digital data. The size of a bar coded label isdetermined in part by the type of coding used, by the size of theindividual bars and spaces, or on the data-matrix or the compositesymbology. The amount of information encoded in a bar code isconstrained by the size limitations of the bar code.

There are many different bar code symbologies. Each symbology has itsown set of rules for character (e.g., letter, number, punctuation)encoding, error checking, printing, and decoding requirements. Thevarious bar code symbologies differ in the ways they represent data andin the type of data they can encode. Some only encode numbers, othersencode numbers, letters and a few punctuation characters, still othersencode the 128-character and even 256-character ASCII character sets.The newest symbologies include options to encode multiple languages andallow user-defined encoding of special or additional data. These newsymbologies even allow, through deliberate redundancies, reconstructionof data if the symbol is damaged.

The conventional bar code symbol is “one-dimensional,” i.e., bars andspaces extend only in a single direction. One-dimensional bar codes arelimited in the amount of data that can be encoded therein. Increasingly,a need exists for bar codes to contain more information thanconventional bar code symbols. In response to this need, reduced spacesymbology (RSS) and composite symbology (CS) bar codes have beendeveloped. RSS bar codes are one-dimensional, extending in onedirection. Several variants of RSS exist including stacked, limited andexpanded which have, inter alia, the ability to encode additional databeyond a basic, short identifier that is usually printed with bar codes.The second symbology, CS, consists of a one-dimensional symbol pairedwith, and in some cases logically linked, to a two-dimensional symbolprinted directly above it. The composite, two-dimensional symbol isknown in the art as a PDF 417 symbol or a UCC/EAN-128 specific variantof MICRO PDF 417. MICRO PDF 417 is a version of PDF 417 which isdesigned for small item marking. Currently, RSS/CS bar codes are definedhaving a data capacity ranging from 56 characters to 2,361 characters.In time, the data capacity is likely to increase.

RSS/CS bar codes effectively replace the need for external computerdatabases to be referenced after a value, for example an UPC itemnumber, is extracted from a one dimensional bar code. Prior to thedevelopment of RSS/CS bar codes, after a value was extracted from asingle dimension bar code, data were referenced in computer database(s)to provide associated details with the extracted value. RSS/CS barcodes, in contrast, contain much of the associated data previouslystored in a collateral database. The RSS/CS bar code is, essentially, adatabase itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a foldable and sealable packet comprisingfolding perforations imprinted on the packet to define locations forfolding, a sealant for maintaining the shape of the packet after thepacket is folded at the folding perforations and a bar code, such as aRSS/CS barcode, containing information directed to at least contents ofthe packet. After the packet is folded and partially sealed, the packetis formed to become a container to receive the contents.

Other features of the foldable and sealable packet include storing themedication in the packet, wherein the medication includes at least oneof capsules, tablets, gelcaps, dissolving strips, and caplets. Further,the foldable and sealable packet comprises human readable informationprinted thereon. Additionally, the human readable information isdirected a patient who is intended to receive the packet, the contentsof the packet, and/or instructions for opening the packet.

Moreover, the foldable and sealable packet comprises an image thatrepresents the contents of the packet. Further, the foldable andsealable packet further comprises a polycoat portion. The foldable andsealable packet also comprises a tear off perforation portion thatenables the removal of individual foldable and sealable packets in astrip of foldable and sealable packets.

In one example, the foldable and sealable packet, is formed as blisterpacks, wherein the blister packs are formed with at least one of a paperand film portion having an ink layer disposed thereon, and wherein theink layer is adapted to be removed by a laser. Further, the RSS/CS barcode is formed in the at least one of paper and film by the removal ofthe ink by the laser.

Further, the foldable and sealable packet are formed in a plurality offoldable and sealable packets, wherein the first packet comprisesinformation regarding the remaining ones of the foldable and sealablepackets in the strip.

Further, the foldable and sealable packet comprises a removable tabportion. The removable tab portion comprises a CS portion of a RSS/CSbar code, and a RSS portion of the RSS/CS barcode and the portion of thefoldable and sealable packet is adjacent to the tab portion comprises anidentical CS portion and a portion of the RSS portion. When removed, theremovable tab comprises a complete copy of the RSS/CS barcode on theportion of the foldable and sealable packet adjacent to the tab portion.

Also, the foldable and sealable packet further comprises a at leastpartially transparent window that enables a person to see the contentsof the foldable and sealable packet.

Additionally, the foldable and sealable packet, further comprising atleast one shape printed on the foldable and sealable packet, wherein theshape represents information directed to at least one of the contents ofthe foldable and sealable packet and the person who receives thefoldable and sealable packet. The at least one shape is formed as atleast one of a polygon, a bar, and a circle.

The information represented by the shape regards at least one of dosage,frequency of use, time of day for ingestion and warnings directed to thecontents of the foldable and sealable packet.

The present invention further regards a method for producing a foldableand sealable packet, and comprises storing electronic patientinformation in a database, storing electronic medication informationregarding at least one of a plurality of medications, providing at leastone of the electronic patient information and the electronic medicalinformation to a patient caregiver, receiving electronic instructionscomprising instructions directed to medication for the patient from thepatient caregiver, printing at least a bar code on the foldable andsealable packet, dispensing at least one medication in the foldable andsealable packet and folding and sealing the foldable and sealable packetsuch that the packet becomes a container for the at least onemedication.

The invention further comprises referencing at least one Internet webpage to discover information directed to the at least one medication,and printing human readable information on the foldable and sealablepacket. The human readable information comprises at least one amedication warning, drug recall information, batch number, lot number,patient information, medication fill date, medication quantity, dosage,and directions for consumption.

The invention further regards a method for dispensing medication to apatient, comprising electronically receiving caregiver instructionsrepresenting information regarding medication for the patient, printingof a foldable and sealable packet, folding of the foldable and sealablepacket, dispensing at least one medication into the foldable andsealable packet, sealing the foldable and sealable packet anddistributing the foldable sealable packet containing the at least onemedication to the patient. The step of distributing the medicationfurther comprises reading a bar code image on a wrist band worn by thepatient to extract wrist band information, reading a bar code image onthe foldable and sealable packet to extract content informationrepresenting the contents of the foldable and sealable packet, comparingthe wrist band information with the content information, and providingthe patient with the foldable and sealable packet containing themedication after confirming the wrist band information corresponds withthe content information.

Other features and benefits are provided below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

For the purposes of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings a form which is presently preferred, it being understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown. The features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description ofembodiments of the invention that refers to the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates confusion that is typically incurred in prior artmedicine distribution systems;

FIG. 2 shows an example hardware embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 shows sample components of an information processor and userterminal in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows an example sealable individual bar coded packet inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a sealable individual bar coded packets afterfolding and sealing have occurred;

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show an example sealable individual bar coded packetduring the process of folding and sealing;

FIG. 7 shows an example web of a roll of sealable individual bar codedpackets;

FIG. 8 shows an example strip of sealable individual bar coded packetsthat can be folded in to an accordion shape;

FIG. 9 shows an example blister pack packaging that is used inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10A-10E show a collection of blister pack packaging that isavailable via the present invention;

FIG. 11A shows an individual blister pack in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11B shows a plurality of blister packs combined in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 12 shows an example sealable individual bar coded packet having aremovable tab portion;

FIG. 13 shows a plurality of shapes that are printed on labels inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 shows a plurality of software control modules used in accordancewith the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a flow chart identifying sample steps associated with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system and method for improvingdistribution of medication. In accordance therewith, the presentinvention provides for a plurality of computer-related hardware andsoftware applications to receive and process information directed todistribution of medication. Further, the invention is directed toproviding a sealable bar coded label that is folded and glued orotherwise formed such that the label itself becomes a container for oneor more tablet form medications.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference designators refer tolike elements there is shown in FIG. 2 an example of a first preferredembodiment including a hardware arrangement for producing sealableindividual bar coded packets, and referred to herein, generally assystem 10. System 10 preferably comprises at least one informationprocessor 12 and at least one user terminal 14, each of which arecoupled to communication network 16. Information processor 12 preferablyincludes all databases necessary to support the present invention.However, it is contemplated that information processor 12 can access anyrequired databases via communication network 16 or any othercommunication network to which information processor 12 may be coupled.Communication network 16 is preferably a global public communicationnetwork such as the Internet, but can also be a wide area network (WAN),local area network (LAN), or other network that enables two or morecomputers to communicate with each other.

In the preferred embodiment, information processor 12 and user terminal14 are any devices that are capable of sending and receiving data acrosscommunication network 16, e.g., mainframe computers, mini computers,personal computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDA)and Internet access devices such as Web TV. In addition, user terminals14 are preferably equipped with a web browser, such as MICROSOFTINTERNET EXPLORER, NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR and the like. Informationprocessor 12 and user terminals 14 are coupled to communication network16 using any known data communication networking technology.

Also shown in FIG. 1, printer 18 is preferably used to produce sealableindividual bar coded packets, and may be of a variety of printer types,including, for example, thermal printers, laser printers, impactprinters and the like. Printer 18 is preferably used, at least in part,for high volume printing. In other words, printer 18 may print thousandsand even millions of labels, including bar codes, in a single day.

In accordance with the present invention, printer 18 produces sealableindividual bar coded packets 20 that are used for medications. As usedherein, the term medications generally refers to medicine that can beconsumed by a patient. For example, medications include tablets,capsules, caplets, gelcaps and other types of medicine that is consumedorally.

As shown in FIG. 3, the functional elements of each informationprocessor 12 include one or more central processing units (CPU) 22 usedto execute software code and control the operation of informationprocessor 12, read-only memory (ROM) 24, random access memory (RAM) 26,one or more network interfaces 28 to transmit and receive data to andfrom other computing devices across a communication network, storagedevices 30 such as a hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, tape drive, CDROM or DVD for storing program code, databases and application data, oneor more input devices 32 such as a keyboard, mouse, track ball,microphone and the like, and a display 34.

The various components of information processor 12 need not bephysically contained within the same chassis or even located in a singlelocation. For example, storage device 30 may be located at a site whichis remote from the remaining elements of information processor 12, andmay even be connected to CPU 22 across communication network 16 vianetwork interface 28. Information processor 12 include a memory equippedwith sufficient storage to provide the necessary databases, forums, andother community services as well as acting as a web server forcommunicating hypertext markup language (HTML), Java applets, Active-Xcontrol programs and the like to user terminals 14. Informationprocessor 12 are preferably arranged with components, for example, thoseshown in FIG. 3, suitable for the expected operating environment ofinformation processor 12. The CPU(s) 22, network interface(s) 28 andmemory and storage devices are selected to ensure that capacities arearranged to accommodate expected demand.

As used herein, the term “link” refers to a selectable connection fromone or more words, pictures or other information objects to others inwhich the selectable connection is presented within the web browser. Theinformation object can include sound and/or motion video. Selection istypically made by “clicking” on the link using an input device such as amouse, track ball, touch screen and the like. Of course, one of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that any method by which an objectpresented on the screen can be selected is sufficient.

The functional elements shown in FIG. 3 (designated by referencenumerals 22-34) are the same categories of functional elements presentin user terminals 14. However, not all elements need be present, forexample, storage devices in the case of PDA's and the capacities of thevarious elements are arranged to accommodate the expected user demand.For example, CPU 22 in user terminal 14 may be a smaller capacity CPUthan the CPU present in the information processor 12. Similarly, it islikely that information processor 12 will include storage devices of amuch higher capacity than storage devices present in user terminals 14.

Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that thecapabilities of the functional elements can be adjusted as needed. Thenature of the invention is such that one skilled in the art of writingcomputer executable code (i.e., software) can implement the describedfunctions using one or more of a combination of popular computerprogramming languages and developing environments including, but notlimited to C++, Visual Basic, Java, HTML and web application developmentapplications.

It is contemplated that system 10 is arranged such that user terminals14 communicate with and display data received from information processor12 using any known communication and display method, for example, usinga non-Internet-browser viewer coupled with a local area network protocolsuch as the Internet Packet Exchange (IPX), dial-up, third-party,private network or a value added network (VAN).

It is further contemplated that any suitable operating system can beused on information processor 12 and user terminal 14, for example, DOS,WINDOWS 3.x, WINDOWS 95, WINDOWS 98, WINDOWS NT, WINDOWS 2000, WINDOWSME, WINDOWS CE, POCKET PC, WINDOWS XP, MAC OS, UNIX, LINUX, PALM OS andany other suitable operating system.

As used herein, references to displaying data on user terminal 14 refersto the process of communicating data to the terminal acrosscommunication network 16 and processing the data such that the data isviewed on the display 34, for example by using a web browser and thelike. As is common with web browsing software, the display screen onuser terminals 14 present sites within the system 10 such that a usercan proceed from site to site within the system by selecting a desiredlink. Therefore, each user's experience with system 10 is based on theorder with which they progress through the display screens. Graphiccontrols are preferably available in the display screens and modules toinitiate data processes, and to provide convenient navigation betweenthe display screens and modules of system 10. In other words, becausethe system is not completely hierarchical in its arrangement of displayscreens, users can proceed from area to area without the need to“backtrack” through a series of display screens. For that reason, andunless stated otherwise, the following discussion is not intended torepresent any sequential operation steps, but rather to illustrate thecomponents of system 10.

Form of Sealable Individual Bar Coded Labels

FIG. 4 shows an example sealable individual bar coded packet 20 prior tobeing folded, provided with medication, and sealed for delivery. Theexample sealable individual bar coded packet 20 shown in FIG. 4 containsfolding perforations 36 which define locations to define where foldingand/or sealing processes occur. Further, sealable individual bar codedpacket 20 comprises tear off perforations 38 which define where, instrip of continuous sealable individual bar coded packets 20, onesealable individual bar coded packet ends and another begins. FIGS. 5Aand 5B illustrate the front and back, respectively, of an examplesealable individual bar coded packet 20 after folding and sealing hasoccurred.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate sealable individual bar coded packet 20as the folding and sealing process occurs. The sealable individual barcoded packet 20 labels preferably contain a form of dry glue or othersealant portions 40 that enable the label to be formed into anindividual packet (see FIG. 6A). Preferably, the printer 18 (FIG. 1) isequipped with an accessory for folding and/or sealing the sealableindividual bar coded packet 20, preferably containing the medications.Further as shown in FIG. 6A, in the sealable individual bar coded packet20 the glue or other sealant portion is provided near the perimeter anda polycoat portion 42 is provided near the center of the sealableindividual bar coded packet 20. Polycoat is a preferred material in asealable individual bar coded packet 20 because medication is wellpreserved therein.

The sealable individual bar coded packet 20 may be available in aplurality of forms. FIG. 7 shows a plurality of sealable individual barcoded packets 20 that are provided as a single web of a roll ofpreprinted labels and available for passage through a thermal bar codeprinter. Each sealable individual bar coded packet 20 is defined betweentear off perforations 38 at predetermined locations on the web thatenable a person to tear individual labels off the web at theperforations.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of labels areprinted in an accordion/fan shape. Each label is preferably tearable offthe fan shape at predefined perforations 38 that separate adjacentlabels. The printer is equipped with an accessory for folding the labelsinto an accordion/fan-type shape after labels are printed. This enablesa person to receive a plurality of sealable individual bar coded packets20 together in an accordion/fan shape.

In a preferred embodiment and as shown in FIG. 8, the first sealableindividual bar coded packet 20 of a strip containing a plurality ofsealable individual bar coded packets 20 that is printed providesinformation directed to the rest of the sealable individual bar codedpackets 20 that are contained within the strip. For example, only thefirst packet acting as a marker, contains information that is directedto both the first packet and the following printed sealable individualbar coded packet 20.

In yet another embodiment, a series of labels are formed on aconventional paper sheet which is fed into, for example, a laser,impact, or ink jet printer, the sheet preferably is provided withperforations and scores for separating the labels and enabling foldingof the labels and subsequent gluing to form individual packets. Thelabels can be formed into different sizes and shapes, depending upon thequantity and size of a medication that is to be inserted therein.

FIG. 9 shows an example blister pack packaging that can be used as analternative embodiment of a sealable individual bar coded packet. Asshown in FIG. 9, the example blister pack construction comprises twocard stock sheets 48 and 56, with a plurality (e.g., 30, 50 or 90) holespunched in a layout of numbered rows and columns. To the backing isadhered a foil or paper laminate 52 for covering the plurality of holes.Preferably, a layer of black ink 54 is printed covering the entiresurface of the of the film/paper 52 that appears through the punchedholes in the opening 58 of the card stock 56.

The front card sheet 48 is also preferably punched with holes in aregular pattern of rows and columns to create a thirty, sixty or ninetyhole count. A sheet of blisters that protrude through the card holes ispreferably created from a vacuum formed sheet of thermoplastic.

In order to use the blister pack, the user punches the medicationthrough the rear hole of the card stock 56, breaking the foil/paper 52backing in the process. The plastic blister is preferably thin andflexible such to allow this movement.

The black ink layer 54 that is printed on the back of the foil/paper 52is preferably burned away by the laser printing thereby leaving anRSS/CS bar code and a human readable portion in each cell unit.

FIGS. 10A-10E show assorted types of of blister pack packaging inaccordance with the present invention. The invention can be used withany known type of blister pack packaging.

FIG. 11A illustrates an individual blister pack in accordance with thepresent invention. FIG. 11B illustrates a way to combine a plurality ofblister packs.

Contents of Sealable Individual Bar Coded Labels

Preferably, and as shown in the example sealable individual bar codedpacket of FIG. 4, a plurality of pieces of information are printed onthe sealable individual bar coded packet 20 in both the form of a RSS/CSbar code and also preferably in the form of human readable characters.RSS/CS bar codes potentially hold thousands of characters ofinformation. Additional human readable information is preferably printedon the sealable individual bar coded packets 20.

FIG. 12 shows an example sealable individual bar coded packet 20 thatincludes a removable tab or edge portion 60 that carries both humanreadable and machine readable information. The human readableinformation is preferably placed on the tab 60 such that when the tab isremoved, for example, torn off along a perforation 62 in the sealableindividual bar coded packet 20, the prescription medicine information,patient name, quantity, and date and time information, etc. are removedfrom the sealable individual bar coded packet 20. The linear portion,i.e., the RSS bar code, is preferably printed half or partially on thesealable individual bar coded packet 20 and half or partially on theremovable tab 60. The CS portion of the bar code twice, i.e., adjacentto one half of the linear portion and again adjacent to the other halfof the linear portion. After the tab is tom and removed from thesealable individual bar coded packet 20, an entire, machine-readableRSS/CS bar code is on both the removed tab and on the sealableindividual bar coded packet 20.

Moreover and as shown in FIG. 12, an image 64 of the contents of thesealable individual bar coded packet is printed thereon, preferably incolor. For example, an image of an individual tablet or capsule isprinted on the packet so that when the packet is open and the contentsare retrieved, a comparison can be made with the image that is printedon the sealable individual bar coded packet to ensure that the contentsof the packet correspond. Other types of printed information, forexample, pictorial information, can also be printed and include, forexample, directions for types of foods that should be consumed oravoided when taking the medication and any other use or avoidanceinstructions.

In a further alternative embodiment, not shown, the labels at least inpart comprise an at least partially transparent window that enables aperson to see the contents of the sealable individual bar coded packet20. This window enables a user to at least see the shape and color ofthe medication that is contained in the sealable individual bar codedpacket 20.

The sealable individual bar coded packet 20 preferably includes anRSS/CS bar code that is printed thereon. That bar code preferablycontains information directed to the patient and the medication. Forexample, patient demographics, patient medical history, allergies andthe like are included in the bar code. Information directed to themedication, including batch and lot number, drug interactions, andinformation generated from a host of medical databases available over aglobal communication network may also be included. Furthermore, sincethe RSS/CS barcode can contain a relatively larger amount of informationthan other types of barcodes, the information in the RSS/CS bar code ispreferably comprised of the GTIN, LOT EXPIRY DATE, concentration, andprescription record number of the medication and patient. Also printedon the sealable individual bar coded packet 20 there may be directionsfor use and intake in a human readable form for the benefit of thepatient or the patient's care provider, including the time, date andother instructions regarding consumption of the medication.

Furthermore, a roll comprising a web of preprinted sealable individualbar coded packets 20 can be obtained by a party for fillingprescriptions or supplying medications, and the roll is easily insertedin a printer and printed and/or folded and/or filled with medication athigh speed (see FIG. 7). Additionally, a plurality of packet sizes arepreferably available via the present invention, thereby accommodatingdifferent environments. For example, a drug company may decide to ship500 individually packaged medications via the present invention and mayplace each individual medication in a small sealable individual barcoded packet 20. Alternatively, a plurality of medications may beincorporated into a single sealable individual bar coded packet 20,thereby requiring the use of a relatively large packet.

Furthermore, and as shown in FIG. 13, one or more shapes may be printedand the shapes are selected to provide information and meaning to theviewer. For example, a stripe and/or numerals can be used separately orin combination to indicate different things. On many prior artmedication labels, available space is very small such that informationis printed using a very small point size, or else omitted entirely. Thepresent invention could solve this space problem by placing a shape, forexample, a single bar, that, based upon the bar's relative size,represents meaningful information, e.g., dosage, frequency of use, timeof day for ingestion, etc.

For example, a single bar that is longer than the width of the RSS/CSbar code printed on the label represents a dosage of 10 mg. of aspecific medication, for example, ibuprofen. A similar bar that isprinted on a different label, which has the same width as the RSS/CS barcode represents a different dosage, e.g., 25 mg. of ibuprofen. A singlebar that is half of the width of the RSS/CS bar code represents 50 mg.of medication, and a bar that has a narrow width, for example, onequarter of the width of the RSS/CS bar code, represents a dosage of 100mg. of ibuprofen. In the above examples, the single bar can be printedin conjunction with a number, for example, 10, 25, 50 and 100,respectively, to represent, for example, the varying dosages, time ofday, etc. can be indicated too (see page 14).

The present invention also utilizes different shapes, for example,circles, squares or other polygons, to represent different kinds ofinformation. For example, a small circle with an embedded number 5represents, e.g., a dosage, quantity, day of the month, or otherpertinent information that physicians, pharmacists, patients, or anyoneelse associated with the medication requires. The present inventionfurther prints larger circles associated with different numbers torepresent other information. For example, a slightly larger circleembedding the number 10, a larger circle with the number 15 embeddedtherein, and yet a larger circle having the number 20 embedded thereinrepresent specific information directed to the medication, e.g., type ofmedication and a milligrams dosage level per tablet (see page 14).

Moreover, the imprints are not limited to circles or bars. A variety ofpolygons including six-sided, five-sided, four-sided and three-sidedpolygons, each having embedded numeral values therein can represent aplurality of information types, for example, medications, dosages,dates, floors in a hospital, etc. In this way, errors that canfrequently occur, for example, due to illegible handwriting, areavoidable since a person using the present invention can easily view thelabel of the medicine and see a five sided polygon rather than athree-sided polygon, to avoid an error. For example, a three sidedpolygon may represent a weaker dosage than a six sided polygon. A nurse,or other healthcare provider, viewing the three-sided polygon can easilysee that an incorrect dosage has been distributed for the patient.

A plurality of shapes on a single label may represent informationdirected to the medicine. For example, a single circle on a single labelrepresents the first week of a month that a medicine is to be consumed,while three circles on a single label represent the third week of amonth in which a medicine is to be consumed. Alternatively, the numberof shapes on the label may be employed to indicate the number of dosagesper day. In this way, errors that occur, for example, due to illegiblehandwriting, can be prevented by merely looking at a label and seeing anincorrect number of shapes on the label.

The use of bars and other shapes on labels has many applications inaddition to labels for medicine. Any requirement for labelinginformation can utilize the system of graphic shapes as describedherein. For example, labels directed to parts and components, tools,etc. all simplify and reduce errors by using the system shapes and/ornumbers as directed by the present invention.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, theemployment of a plurality of shapes and numbers, for example, bars,circles and polygons, are printed on the sealable individual bar codedpacket 20 to further provide information, for example, instructions andwarnings, to the viewer of the label. The human readable markings aretypically provided in addition to the bar coding. In a preferredembodiment, both the removable tab contains the shape and/or number, andthe sealable individual bar coded packet 20 has the identical shapeand/or number printed thereon. In this way, redundant information can beused for patient charts, or other information sources, with very littleeffort from a healthcare provider.

System and Use of Sealable Individual Bar Coded Labels

In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of hardware andsoftware modules are integrated to produce the sealable individual barcoded packet. In the examples shown in FIG. 14, the modules comprised inthe present invention include a patient information module 64, amedications module 66, a physician instructions module 68 and aworldwide web medical reference module 70. The patient informationmodule 64 preferably contains information directed to patients or otherpersons receiving some sort of medical care. For example, the patientinformation module includes patient name, address, date of birth andother demographics type information. The medications module 66 comprisesinformation regarding a plurality of medications, including, treatmentsuggestions, expiration dates, and any information related to anindividual medication. The physician instructions module 68 preferablyreceives information from physicians via an user terminal 14. Forexample, a physician, while with a patient, enters instructions into ahandheld computer and beams the instructions to the physicianinstructions module 68. Moreover, a worldwide web medical referencesmodule 70 is included in a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The module 70 includes, for example, a plurality of worldwideweb pages available over the internet that include a plurality ofinformation directed to medical care.

Preferably, instructions received from a physician are transmitted to aserver system which processes the instructions and directs instructionsto a printing device to produce the sealable, individual bar codedpackets. In a preferred embodiment, a physician or care provider at thepatient's location may use a portable device, for example, a personaldigital assistant (PDA) as a user terminal 14 to input or receiveinformation and instructions regarding the patient's medication into orfrom the portable device. Thereafter, information entered into theportable device may be transmitted to a receiving device, for example,into a personal computer via an infrared port, via a communicationnetwork. The information in the personal computer is transmitted to aserver system and used to direct the printing of the sealable individualbar coded packet 20.

A plurality of databases that are presently available over thecommunication network may be accessed, and information that is relativeto the specific patient and/or medication is electronically stored thatmay be retrieved and included for printing on the sealable, individualbar coded label 20. For example, batch and lot numbers directed to themedication, warnings regarding potential harmful combinations with othermedications, drug recall information and the like may be retrieved fromthe plurality of databases. The information gathered from theseplurality of sources are preferably compiled and printed on the label inat least one of human readable and machine readable form. Otherinformation, for example, special orders that are received from thephysician, is also preferably transmitted and printed on the sealableindividual bar coded label.

Additionally, the one or more software modules causing the production ofthe sealable individual bar coded packets also transmit instructions toat least one printing device that causes the sealable individual barcoded packets to be printed in accordance with one or more rules. Forexample, a series of packets can be printed that are directed to asingle patient. In this example, sealable, individual bar coded packetsfor an entire week's worth of medications are printed in a single printoperation, the packets are filled with the appropriate medication, andthe specific packets are delivered to the patient. Alternatively, theprint operation is directed to print a plurality of sealable individualbar coded packets for a single medication. Further to this example, thesame packet is produced a number of times, and a person simply tears offthe sealable individual bar coded packet containing the medication anddelivers the packet(s) containing the medication to an appropriateparty.

After a physician or care provider prescribes medication for a patient,the information is transmitted to a server system and the server systemor other computer system is directed to print the sealable individualbar coded packet 20, to dispense the medication into the packet, andthen finally to seal the packet. In this way, little human interventionis required to fill a prescription.

During the step of dispensing the medication, a caregiver preferablyuses a bar code reading device, such as a scanner, wand or other device,to read the contents of the patient's wrist band. Thereafter, the barcode printed on the sealable individual bar coded packet 20 is read, anda comparison occurs to ensure the caregiver is with the correct patientand the medication matches the physician instructions. Moreover, thepatient record is electronically updated prior to the distribution ofthe sealable individual bar coded packets 20. A comparison is furthermade with the patient's record to ensure the medicine is correct.Furthermore, preferably, the caregiver visually inspects the sealableindividual bar coded packet 20 to determine that the contents of thepacket 20 match an image that is printed on the packet that representsthe contents. After the electronic and visual confirmations are made,then the patient preferably receives the medication.

In one preferred embodiment, the patient is wearing a bar codedwristband. The blister pack cells, typically 30, 60 or 90 cells perblister pack, are individually bar coded and sequentially numbered. Whenthe caregiver administers medications, all information is entered intoan electronic monitoring database which records the patient wristband,date, time, medications, dosage and any other incidents that might occurduring rounds.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart that identifies some steps associated with theproduction and distribution of sealable individual bar coded packets 20in accordance with the present invention. Further to this example, aphysician meets with a patient (step S100). The physician preferablyevaluates the patent, and enters a prescription with accompanyinginstructions into a personal digital assistant (PDA) and transmits theinstructions via an infrared port to a computer system (step S102). Instep S104, the instructions are received and processed. For example, theinstructions are formatted to begin production of sealable individualbar coded packets 20. In step S106, references are checked beforeproceeding with production of the sealable individual bar coded packets20. For example, a medication may have been recalled and the referencecheck would discover and report such information to the physician. Instep S108, production of a sealable individual bar coded packet 20occurs. Details of the contents and printing, folding and sealing of thesealable individual bar coded packet 20 are described above. Finally, instep S1110, the sealable individual bar coded packets 20 aredistributed. Further to this example, a plurality of medications, forexample, medication for a week can be ordered and filled in a packet orpackets without any human contact with the packets.

The present invention has many advantages over the prior art. Forexample, the medications are sealed in inexpensive, disposable and/orrecyclable packets. This eliminates the need to produce plastic vialswhich are more expensive and potentially harmful to the environment inproduction and later disposed. Moreover, no separate label applicationstep is needed to place a label on a separate container, for example, avial, thus saving operator time and eliminating a human step which haspotential for error.

Additionally, multiple sealable individual bar coded packets 20 can beproduced on a single sheet or web or roll, thereby increasingproductivity and decreasing costs. Additionally, the many interfaceswith which drug databases via a global communication network can beaccessed increases the amount of information that can be integrated andpresented to physicians and patients via the present invention. Properlymarked, individually wrapped bar coded medications allow for themedication to remain hermetically sealed, and delivered via an automatedhealthcare delivery system which may include all of the checks andsafeguards a computerized system may allow.

Other advantages of the present invention include efficiency, a decreaseof errors caused by human intervention, decreased costs and increasedefficiency.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Forexample, the sealable individual bar coded packets 20 can be used forhardware, such as screws, nuts, bolts and the like. Further, small partsthat are included with items that require some assembly can be stored insealable individual bar coded packets 20.

Therefore the present invention is not limited by the specificdisclosure herein.

1. A foldable and sealable packet, the packet comprising: foldingperforations on the packet to define locations for folding; a sealant,wherein the sealant maintains the shape of the packet after the packetis folded at the folding perforations, wherein after the packet isfolded and at least partially sealed, the packet is formed to become acontainer to receive the contents; and a bar code on the packet, the barcode containing information directed at least to contents of the packet.2. The foldable and sealable packet of claim 1, wherein the contentsinclude at least one of medication and hardware.
 3. The foldable andsealable packet of claim 2, wherein the medication includes at least oneof capsules, tablets, gelcaps, dissolving strips, and caplets.
 4. Thefoldable and sealable packet of claim 1, further comprising humanreadable information printed on the packet.
 5. The foldable and sealablepacket of claim 4, wherein the human readable information is directed toat least one of a patient who is intended to receive the packet, thecontents of the packet, and instructions for opening the packet.
 6. Thefoldable and sealable packet of claim 1, further comprising an imagethat represents the contents of the packet.
 7. The foldable and sealablepacket of claim 1, further comprising a polycoat portion.
 8. Thefoldable and sealable packet of claim 1, further comprising a tear offperforation portion enabling the removal of individual foldable andsealable packets in a strip of foldable and sealable packets.
 9. Thefoldable and sealable packet of claim 1, wherein the bar code is aRSS/CS barcode.
 10. The foldable and sealable packet of claim 1, whereinthe packet comprises blister packs.
 11. The foldable and sealable packetof claim 10, wherein the blister packs are formed with at least one of apaper and film portion having an ink layer disposed thereon, and whereinthe ink layer is adapted to be removed by a laser.
 12. The foldable andsealable packet of claim 10, further comprising a RSS/CS bar code fomedin the at least one of paper and film by the removal of the ink by thelaser.
 12. The foldable and sealable packet of claim 1, wherein a firstof a plurality foldable and sealable packets comprises informationregarding the remaining ones of the foldable and sealable packets in thestrip.
 13. The foldable and sealable packet of claim 1, furthercomprising a removable tab portion.
 14. The foldable and sealable packetof claim 13, wherein the removable tab portion comprises a CS portion ofa RSS/CS bar code and a part of a linear portion of the RSS/CS barcode,and the portion of the foldable and sealable packet adjacent to the tabportion comprises another substantially identical CS portion and anotherpart of the linear portion.
 15. The foldable and sealable packet ofclaim 14, wherein the removable tab, when removed, comprises a copy ofthe RSS/CS barcode on the portion of the foldable and sealable packet ofclaim adjacent to the tab portion.
 16. The foldable and sealable packetof claim 1, further comprising an at least partially transparent windowthat enables a person to see the contents of the foldable and sealablepacket.
 17. The foldable and sealable packet of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of foldable and sealable packets formed in a webof a roll of foldable and sealable packets.
 18. The foldable andsealable packet of claim 1, further comprising at least one shapeprinted on the foldable and sealable packet, wherein the shaperepresents information directed to at least one of the contents of thefoldable and sealable packet and the person who receives the foldableand sealable packet.
 19. The foldable and sealable packet of claim 18,wherein the at least one shape is formed as at least one of a polygon, abar, and a circle.
 20. The foldable and sealable packet of claim 18,wherein the information regards at least one dosage, frequency of use,time of day for ingestion and warnings directed to the contents of thefoldable and sealable packet.
 21. A method for producing a foldable andsealable packet, the method comprising: storing electronic patientinformation in a database, the electronic patient informationrepresenting at least a patient; storing electronic medicationinformation in at least one of the database and another database, theelectronic medication information representing information regarding atleast one of a plurality of medications; providing at least one of theelectronic patient information and the electronic medication informationto a patient caregiver; receiving electronic instructions from thepatient caregiver, the electronic instructions comprising instructionsdirected to medication for the patient; printing at least a bar code onthe foldable and sealable packet; dispensing at least one medication inthe foldable and sealable packet; and folding and sealing the foldableand sealable packet such that the packet becomes a container for the atleast one medication.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprisingreferencing at least one Internet web page to discover informationdirected to the at least one medication.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein the step of receiving electronic instructions comprisesreceiving information that are electronically beamed from a personaldigital assistant.
 24. The method of claim 21, further comprisingprinting human readable information on the foldable and sealable packet.25. The method of claim 24, wherein the human readable informationcomprises at least one of a medication warning, drug recall information,batch number, lot number, patient information, medication fill date,medication quantity, dosage, and directions for consumption.
 26. Amethod for dispensing medication to a patient, the method comprising:electronically receiving caregiver instructions, said caregiverinstructions representing information regarding medication for thepatient; printing of a foldable and sealable packet; folding of thefoldable and sealable packet; dispensing at least one medication intothe foldable and sealable packet; sealing the foldable and sealablepacket; and distributing the foldable sealable packet containing the atleast one medication to the patient.
 27. The method of claim 26, whereinthe step of distributing the medication further comprises: reading a barcode image on a wrist band worn by the patient to extract wrist bandinformation; reading a bar code image on the foldable and sealablepacket to extract content information, the content informationrepresenting the contents of the foldable and sealable packet; comparingthe wrist band information with the content information; and providingthe patient with the foldable and sealable packet containing themedication after confirming the wrist band information corresponds withthe content information.
 28. The method of claim 14, wherein the bars ofthe linear portion extend continuously from the foldable and sealablepacket to the removable tab portion.